2024-10-04 12:47:37
Pakistan started the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup by defeating the Asian champions Sri Lanka. Pakistan batted first and were bowled out for 116 runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday night. In reply, Sri Lanka could only score 85 for 9 wickets in 20 overs. Pakistan won by 31 runs.
The Sri Lankan bowlers took control of Pakistan’s innings after winning the toss with excellent bowling. Chamari Atapattu took 3 wickets for 18 runs in 4 overs. Sugandika Kumari took 3 wickets with 19 runs in 4 overs. And Udeshika Prabadhani took 3 wickets with 20 runs in 4 overs. Kavisha Dilhari took the other wicket.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana scored 30 runs in 20 balls with 3 fours and 1 six. Nida Dar scored 23 runs in 1 six. Besides, Omaima Sohail scored 18 runs, Sidra Amin scored 12 runs and Muniba Ali scored 11 runs.
Chasing an easy target of 116 runs, Sri Lanka also fell under the bowling cannon. They lost 5 wickets to get 52 runs. They could not turn back from there.
With the bat, their Nilakshmi Silva scored 22 off 25 balls and Bishmi Gunaratne scored 20 runs off 34 balls with 1 four. None of the rest could touch the double-digit quota.
Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal with the ball took 3 wickets with 17 runs in 4 overs. Nashra Sandhu took 2 wickets for 15 runs in 4 overs, Omaima Sohail took 2 wickets for 17 runs in 4 overs and Fatima Sana took 2 wickets with 10 runs in 2.5 overs.
Pakistan captain Fatima was the man of the match with 30 wickets with the bat and 2 wickets with the ball.
Pakistan will face India in their second Group ‘A’ match on Saturday afternoon. On the other hand, in the second match on Friday, Sri Lanka’s opponent is champion Australia.